Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruckvilla
Love seeing all the dogs in the villages.
Are there any restaurants that allow dogs to join our friends for dinner when they visit? Patio areas in the squares? Country clubs?
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As far as I know, PETS are not allowed
inside the dining room of any restaurant in The Villages. However,
service dogs are welcome. For outside dining, you'd need to check, some posts here have specified. Also Dunkin Donuts and Darrel's Diner both welcome pets outside their buildings at their outdoor tables.
Reminder to all: a service animal MIGHT ALSO be an emotional support animal, but not all emotional support animals are service animal.
A service animal has been specifically trained to perform a specific service for someone with a medical need. They don't have to wear special collars or harnesses. But some ways you can tell if the animal is a service animal or not:
1. If it has a retractable leash, it is NOT a service animal, or at least - it is NOT on duty.
2. If it's standing near the table and wagging its tail or laying down in a curled-up relaxed position, it is NOT a service animal or at least, it is NOT on duty.
3. If the owner says the dog is friendly and you can pet it, it is absolutely NOT on duty as a service animal.
4. If it's sitting in a shopping cart or a pet stroller, it is absolutely positively NOT on duty as a service animal.
"Emotional support animal" is just a catch phrase for a pet that the owner is especially bonded with. There is no training involved in having an emotional support animal.
A service animal's owner ALSO goes through training to learn how to command their animal. Some rules for service animals inside buildings:
4 on the floor (no jumping, climbing, sitting/standing on anything other than the floor)
Physically controlled at all times - short leash, harness, tether, voice, or other device (depending on the nature of the handler's disability)
Must be housebroken.
The handler must not allow anyone to try and distract the animal, whether crouching to talk to it or reaching to pet it.
Any animal that isn't complying with the above is -not- on duty as a service animal.